Acts 8:1b-8
...Saul, meanwhile, was trying to destroy the church; entering
house after house and dragging out men and women, he handed them over for
imprisonment. 4 Now those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.
5 Thus Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. 6
With one accord, the crowds paid attention to what was said by Philip when they
heard it and saw the signs he was doing. 7 For unclean spirits, crying out in a
loud voice, came out of many possessed people, and many paralyzed and crippled
people were cured. 8 There was great joy in that city.
Looking back all these years at the glorious background of our
faith that has been handed to us, we can say that we are so blessed among all
of God's creation. We have been endowed with such a great blessing beyond our
comprehension. Just imagine
ourselves meeting someone who is very admirable and impressive, we can't help
but be proud and share with others our wonderful experience. That's how it is
with the apostles and even more once we've come to know God. We have to be
strong and of good courage. Each and every moment is a clear manifestation of
God's tremendous love. No words can ever be enough to describe it. Blessed is
Mother Mary for believing that what was spoken to her by the Lord would be
fulfilled. We can also come to a point when we can also sing our own
"Magnificat" and raise our hands to God in prayer and thanksgiving
for every gift He has given to us. Even those gifts of sorrow. God is in charge
and He will make all things work for the good. We have a God who is fighting
our battles for us. God is in control. Although God will not stop every
adversity but if we stay in faith, He will see us through. He did not promise
life to be smooth sailing all the time but He definitely assured us of a safe
landing. God has already lined up the right people, right places at the right
time. He has prepared for our victory and so we should be ready for God's
favor. I remember when we went to San Francisco we joined the bay cruise, were able to come up
very close to the Golden Gate Bridge and went under it and see the amazing
structures that hold it. The engineering of the bridge was amazing and very
strongly built. During the cruise we got information that the bridge can
withstand the powerful forces of the wind and can hold a tremendous amount of
weight. It was as if this bridge was really built to last a long time and still
be of service to various forms of transportation. Man's ingenuity is so
impressive to come up with such a bridge that used to hold the world's longest
suspension span record for a long time since 1937 when it was built. And what's
amazing is that it continues to draw people to it up to the present time. Just
like this bridge we have to be strong and of good courage as spoken of in
Joshua. We can always render service to God in our own personal humble and
little ways. And be assured that the Big Boss does not fail a single moment in
fully compensating all the work that has been rendered for Him. I know that
someday these things that used to impress us will cease to amaze us any longer
once we've reached the place that lead us to our eternal destiny with our
Almighty God. Today's psalm reading suggests a scene that pictures God's
footprints side by side with each person. God makes Himself known to all in
every part of the world and every where we turn is indeed a declaration
of God's undeniable
presence. Let's open up our senses to the Lord's call and take action. We
should give back to our Life Giver what is due Him who make us live another day
in order to continue proclaiming God's goodness and mercy. Amen. Hallelujah!
Psalm 66:1-3a, 4-5, 6-7a
R: Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
...Come and see the works of God, his tremendous deeds among the
children of Adam. (R) 6 He has changed the sea into dry land; through the river
they passed on foot; therefore let us rejoice in him. 7 He rules by his might
forever.
Rejection is something that no one would like to experience. We
sometimes hesitate to approach a certain person because of fear of rejection.
We should no longer delay but make a decision to come to Jesus instead for we
are assured of His acceptance.
Today's gospel says it all, we'll just have to take God's word for
it. It's an all or nothing situation. There is no in between when it comes to
believing Jesus. If we really believe in Him then it has to be all the way, no
ifs and buts. We've got to give our all and best shot for what's at stake here
is definitely big time and would last for a lifetime and eternity. This is our
best bet and must not hold back because nothing else could be worth more than
this. Amen. Hallelujah!
John 6:35-40
...Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will
not reject anyone who comes to me, 38 because
I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent
me. 39 And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose
anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it on the last day. 40 For
this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in
him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.”
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